Two airlifted to hospital after light aircraft crash in Cranfield

Two people have been airlifted to Addenbrookes hospital after a light aircraft crash at Cranfield Airfield.

The East of England Ambulance Service received a call at 1.43pm and emergency services raced to the scene.

A man in his sixties has been airlifted to hospital with life threatening injuries.

The man received multiple injuries and was treated by Dr Akos Soti and Critical Care Paramedic Jemma Varela before he was flown to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge by Captain Chris Sherriff.

A second air ambulance from Magpas Helimedix was also in attendance and Dr Jon Birks, Dr Alastair Steele and Critical Care Paramedic Philip Almond treated a further male patient at the scene before airlifting to Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

Jason Ivey, Cranfield Airport Director confirmed the plane, a PA-38 Tomahawk, was being flown by one of their resident flight operators, and that it crashed during take off.

It took more than an hour to get the men free from the wreckage before they were air-lifted to hospital.

Ian McLaren, from Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were called to the scene of a light aircraft crash shortly after take off.

“We are well versed in this sort of thing because we practice here regularly.”

Gary Sanderson, EEAST spokesman, said: “We dispatched two ambulances, two response cars, two air ambulances and the Trust’s hazardous area response team to the scene.

“Two patients have been airlifted to Addenbrookes Hospital for further care.”

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch have confirmed they will look into the incident.